It’s August.
Your air conditioner has probably been working overtime for weeks…maybe months.
And while you’re enjoying the cool air, there could be something happening behind the scenes that you haven’t noticed yet:
A slow A/C leak.
Every summer, we start receiving calls from property owners and managers who discover water damage caused by an air-conditioning system. Sometimes it’s a small puddle caught early. Other times, the moisture has been leaking unnoticed into ceilings, walls, flooring, or surrounding building materials for an extended period.
That small maintenance issue can suddenly become a much bigger water-damage project.
Why August Is a Great Time for an A/C Check
At the beginning of summer, most people are thinking about whether their A/C works.
By August, the better question is:
Has it been working properly?
After weeks of heavy use, now is a great time to take a few minutes and inspect the areas around your A/C system.
Some of the common causes of A/C-related water damage include:
- Clogged or disconnected condensation drains
- Dirty condensate pumps
- Clogged air filters
- Dirty evaporator coils
- Cracked drain pans
- Low refrigerant
- Condensation buildup within ductwork
The problem isn’t always a dramatic leak.
A slow drip in an attic, mechanical closet, ceiling, or other hidden area can continue for quite some time before someone notices the staining, odor, damaged drywall, warped materials, or other signs that something is wrong.
The 5-Minute August A/C Check
Take a few minutes this week and look around your system.
Look for water.
Check around the A/C unit, drain pan, condensation line, ceilings, walls, and nearby flooring.
Look for staining.
Yellow or brown discoloration on drywall or ceilings may indicate moisture.
Check your drain line.
Make sure condensation is draining where it is supposed to and isn’t backing up.
Check your filter.
A dirty or clogged filter can restrict airflow and contribute to ice buildup inside the system.
Use your nose.
A musty or unusual odor around the unit or nearby rooms deserves further investigation.
Don’t ignore something that looks different.
If you see moisture, staining, bubbling paint, warped materials, or anything else that wasn’t there before…find out why.
A Small Problem Today Can Be a Big Problem Later
One of the examples in our attached guide involved an attic-mounted A/C system. A neglected filter contributed to ice buildup. When the system shut off, that ice melted and repeatedly introduced water into the area below.
Eventually, the damage became severe enough that the ceiling failed.
That’s an extreme example…but it illustrates an important point:
Water damage is much easier to deal with when you catch it early.
An inexpensive maintenance issue shouldn’t have the opportunity to turn into damaged drywall, flooring, ceilings, contents, or microbial growth.
Put This on Your August To-Do List
Your A/C has been working hard all summer.
Give it a quick check.
Better yet, have your HVAC professional perform preventative maintenance and make sure the drainage system, drain pan, filter, refrigerant levels, and other components are functioning properly.
We’ve also attached our Water Damage from Air Conditioners guide with additional information about common causes, prevention, insurance considerations, and what to do if you discover water damage.
And if you find water where it shouldn’t be…
ServiceFirst Restoration is here to help.
Water | Mold | Fire | Plumbing | Repairs
1-855-883-4778
ineedhelp@callservicefirst.com
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